Crowdfunded Gear: For the People, By the People

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Twenty years ago, innovative products took shape out of sight, in basements and garages. Today they’re born online, at crowd-funding sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo. More than 52,000 campaigns have been run through Kickstarter alone since the site’s 2009 debut. The greatest successes are inventions that improve on existing offerings. “It’s all about solving problems,” says Backcountry brand director Adrian Montgomery.

Take a look at tomorrow's gear and tech fully funded by the crowd and available now or coming soon.

Photo: Courtesy of Pedal Power

Pedal Power Big Rig

Problem: Active desks are functional but lack style.

Solution: The handcrafted Big Rig uses an exposed Shimano drivetrain to power a lamp or charge a laptop.

Panono Camera

Problem: Most cameras shoot only what you see in the viewfinder.

Solution: A palm-size sphere, equipped with 36 lenses, that captures 360-degree digital photos. Toss it in the air to snap the scene, then scroll through the pic in any direction in the Panono app. It's Google Street View for the masses.

FlyKly Smart Wheel

Problem: Electric bikes are expensive.

Solution: A rear wheel with a motor, a battery, and electronics in the hub that turns any bicycle with standard 26-, 27.5-, or 29-inch rims into an e-bike capable of going 20 miles per hour for up to 30 miles.